If you’re looking for a financial boost, a side hustle is a great place to start. Not only do you earn extra money, but you also diversify your income. Having a second source of income can be a lifeline if you lose your full-time job.
If you’re among the roughly one-third of Americans with a side hustle, you need to ensure the money you earn is worth your time and energy. Follow these five steps to make more money with your side hustle.
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1. Set SMART goals
Whenever you invest your time or money, you’ll boost your odds of success when you clearly define your goals. Try using the SMART goal approach of setting goals that are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Time-based
Suppose you want to earn extra money by walking dogs. “Earn extra money walking dogs” wouldn’t be a SMART goal. A better example would be, “Earn $500 in the next month by walking dogs” or “Secure three new dog-walking gigs by the end of the year.” As you set SMART goals, try to get as specific as possible about how to make them happen.
Once you’ve set your goals, check in on your progress at least once a month. When you’re consistently hitting your goals, try setting even higher ones so you can keep growing your business. If you’re not hitting your goals, try not to be frustrated. Take a step back and evaluate what you need to do differently in order to achieve them.
2. Outsource when it’s appropriate
Your side hustle is an investment. Instead of investing your money, you’re investing your time. The amount of time you have is limited. There’s an opportunity cost when you choose to do one task over another. That’s why outsourcing some responsibilities is a smart way to maximize your side hustle earnings.
You can outsource some tasks directly related to your side hustle. Let’s say you’re a freelance web designer, but clerical tasks are eating into the time you’re actually able to design. You could hire a virtual assistant to take care of administrative tasks so that you can focus on the work that actually brings in money, i.e., web designing.
But outsourcing personal tasks can also help you earn more at your side gig. For example, if you make $50 an hour freelancing but you can pay someone else $25 an hour to clean your house, the trade-off may be worth it. Or perhaps paying a bit more to have your groceries delivered makes sense because you can spend your extra time on work instead of standing in line.
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Source: https://www.fool.com/investing/2021/10/25/heres-how-to-make-even-more-money-from-your-side-h/